The Higher the Hair, The Closer to God is a television show being filmed in the Fulton area of Wheeling by a local producer named Dave Parsons, with the help and star power of some Wheeling Park students. Parsons is an alumnus of Wheeling Park and has done photography and editing for several years. A band, Arbon North, and two of the cast members contribute by making music for the show.
“My name’s Dave Parsons and I wrote, produced, directed and about everything else on this project. It started out, well it was funny because, today [Feb. 18] is actually four years to the day. We went to New York City four years ago and they told me it would be a four-year project to do two movies and a TV series,” said Dave Parsons.
He was determined to make sure something was produced despite the time, or who was going to help or wasn’t. He felt deeply about making sure no matter what happened that everyone who was involved was a part of the making of any other movie or show.
Dave Parson’s personal idea for a movie, originally set to be shot in July of 2020, was cancelled because of COVID at that time. He was able to negotiate keeping some of the characters and developed the series on his own. The people who were originally going to fund the project ended up just saying that they would help promote it and get it picked up with no budget. The entire season’s worth of footage and everyone involved has not been paid. Some streaming services are looking at the show and trying to pick it up.
Both members of Arborn North have been working with the show for many years. “Ever since the beginning of it for me,” said AC Jones, who plays Chuckles. “As far as development, preparations, probably ten years ago now.”
“I kind of came in…about 2020, 2021,” said Michael Boris. “As the show has developed and my character has developed its been great,” said Boris. Not only have both of them inspired each other to write some of their own music, but so has their family and other relatives. For years they’ve also had some of their family members help perform some of the music.
A lot of actors from the show feel close with their characters because of their roles and how close they are to their lives. Like Arborn North, they’ve always done music.
“My character is very close to my reality, I am a hairstylist, I’ve got the same name, pretty similar personality. So it’s pretty spot on,” said Keylee Wilson.
“Mines pretty close, I’ve been working with my daughter who is also my pretend daughter, and I’m a hairdresser. And It’s been pretty fun,” said Ferri Frasnelli in between chuckles and glances back at her daughter.
“The only thing that isn’t real, is that I’m not a hair stylist. Otherwise I’m just as snarky,” added Marrada Miller.
The show is ready to air. It has been filmed, edited, and is just waiting to be picked up!
